Gerbera plant named &#39;UFGE 7014&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new  Gerbera  plant particularly distinguished by having a novel combination of medium lengths of peduncles, semi-double bright white flower color, an overall flower diameter of approximately 11 cm, a moderate level of resistance to powdery mildew, and demonstrated potential to produce attractive plants in large (≧20-cm in diameter) containers, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Gerbera hybrida

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘UFGE 7014’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Gerbera hybridaplant named ‘UFGE 7014’. ‘UFGE 7014’ originated from a cross made atWimauma, Fla. in 2005 between the female parent, ‘Sunburst Snow White’(unpatented), and the male parent, ‘UFGE 4033’ (unpatented), anunreleased breeding line selected at Wimauma, Fla. in 2004 from apopulation of progeny of the cross ‘UFGE 31-19’ (unpatented) and ‘UFGE35-4’ (unpatented). ‘UFGE 7014’ was selected by the inventors from theprogeny of the stated parentage in summer 2007 at Wimauma, Fla. Thefirst asexual reproduction of ‘UFGE 7014’ was accomplished when crowndivision was done in fall 2007 at Wimauma, Fla. Plants of ‘UFGE 7014’have been asexually propagated by crown division and/or tissue culturefor more than three generations. Asexually propagated plants of ‘UFGE7014’ have remained true to the original selected plant, and allcharacteristics of the plant have been transmitted and retained throughthree successive asexual vegetative generations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have not been applied for.‘UFGE 7014’ has not been made publicly available more than one yearprior to the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct variety of Gerbera plant is characterized by anovel combination of medium lengths of peduncles, semi-double brightwhite flowers, an overall flower diameter of approximately 11 cm, amoderate level of resistance to powdery mildew, and demonstratedpotential to produce attractive plants in large (≧20-cm in diameter)containers. ‘UFGE 7014’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. Its phenotype may vary significantly withvariations in environment such as light intensity, temperature, and daylength. The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown at Wimauma, Fla. undernormal horticultural practices in greenhouse conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

1. Peduncle length of approximately 40 cm;

2. Semi-double flower type;

3. White (RHS 155D) ray florets;

4. Yellow-green (RHS 151B) color discs before opening of disc florets;

5. White (RHS 155B) perianth lobe of disc florets;

6. Flower head diameter of approximately 11 cm; and

7. Moderate resistance to powdery mildew.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Gerbera plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographswhich show the plant's form, flower head, and foliage. The colors shownare as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographicprocedures. The photographs are of a plant approximately 3 months oldwhich was produced from one tissue culture liner and is potted in a2.7-L container. Colors in the photograph may differ slightly from thecolor values cited in the detailed botanical description, whichaccurately describe the colors of the new Gerbera.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit including flowers and foliage andis taken from a side perspective view.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the flower head.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the typical leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘UFGE 7014’. The present botanical description isthat of the variety at approximately 3 months old on Oct. 20, 2009 at11:30 a.m. in a room under north light at Wimauma, Fla. The colors(except those in common terms) are described from R.H.S. Colour Chartpublished by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (1986 ed.), inassociation with the Flower Council of Holland.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Gerbera hybrida cv. ‘UFGE 7014’.        -   Common name.—Gerbera.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—‘Sunburst Snow White’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—‘UFGE 4033’ (unpatented).-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Flower head.—Type: Semi-double Diameter: Large, approx. 110            mm Color (general tonality from a distance of 3 meters):            Bright white (RHS 155D) Shape: Incurving funnel-shaped.        -   Involucre.—Height from point of attachment of involucre to            top of flower head: Short, approx. 18 mm Diameter: Small to            medium, approx. 37 mm Number of bracts: Medium, approx. 101            Color: Green (RHS 138A) Longitudinal axis of inner rows:            Straight Anthocyanin: Absent Pubescence: Very dense.        -   Inner ray florets.—Number: Medium, approx. 61 Shape: Narrow            elliptic Longitudinal axis of outer row: Moderately            reflexing Longitudinal axis of inner rows: Straight            Longitudinal axis of ray female floret: Moderately            reflexing.        -   Outer ray floret.—Cross section: Concave Length: Medium,            approx. 45 mm Width: Medium, approx. 8 mm Shape of apex:            Pointed Depth of incision: Medium Color (topside): White            (RHS 155D) Color (bottom side): White (RHS 155B) Color            distribution on inner side: Uniform Edge of different color:            Absent Striation: Absent.        -   Disc florets.—Disc diameter: Medium, approx. 24 mm.        -   Reproductive organs.—Style (main color of distal part):            White (RHS 155D) Stigma (main color): White (RHS 155D)            Anthers (main color): Yellow (RHS 12A) Color of top relative            to other parts: Lighter Longitudinal stripes: Absent.        -   Pappus.—Main color: Yellow-white (RHS 158D) Color of top            relative to other parts: Same Level of top relative to            closed disc florets: Same.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Medium, approx. 42 cm Tendency to            fasciation: Absent Thickness: Medium, approx. 7 mm Strength:            Medium Pubescence: Medium Color: Yellow-green (RHS 144B)            Anthocyanin coloration: At base: Very weak, (RHS 152C) At            top: Absent Involucral bracts: Absent.-   Plant:    -   -   General appearance.—Height: Approx. 42 cm, excluding any            flowers Width: Approx. 57 cm.        -   Foliage.—Leaf blade: Length: Long, approx. 26 cm Width:            Medium, approx. 14 cm Thickness: Medium Blistering: Medium            Pubescence (On upper side, midrib excluded): Sparse Depth of            incisions in leaf: Basal part: Deep Central part: Medium            Distal part: Shallow Color: Upper side: Yellow-green (RHS            146A) Bottom side: Yellow-green (RHS 147C) Glossiness on            upper side: Strong to medium Shape of apex: Right angle            Petiole: Petiole length: Medium, approx. 7.5 cm Color of            petiole: Yellow-green (RHS 144B) Petiole anthocyanin            coloration: Strong.-   Resistance to diseases: ‘UFGE 7014’ has been observed in multiple    experiments in which it was compared with two common commercial    cultivars, ‘Pensacola’ gerbera (unpatented) and ‘Bimini’ gerbera    (unpatented), for the incidence and severity of powdery mildew,    Podosphaera (syn. Sphaerotheca) fusca (Fr.) S. Blumer. ‘UFGE 7014’    has consistently been found to have a moderate level of resistance    to powdery mildew. In two experiments conducted, Experiment 1 in    winter 2008 and spring 2009, and Experiment 2 in summer and fall    2009, both at Wimauma, Fla., tissue culture liners of ‘UFGE 7014’,    ‘Bimini’, and ‘Pensacola’ were transplanted on into 2.7-L containers    filled with commercial potting mix amended with controlled release    fertilizer at the rate of 5.28 kg·m⁻³ and trace element fertilizer    at the rate of 1.05 kg·m⁻³. Plants were grown under a plastic tunnel    within a screen house with approximately 45% light exclusion.    Fungicides were not applied throughout the experiments to subject    the plants to natural powdery mildew disease pressures. In    Experiment 1, the severity of powdery mildew on gerbera leaves was    assessed at week 8 after transplanting (Feb. 4, 2009), week 10 after    transplanting (Feb. 18, 2009), week 12 after transplanting (Mar. 4,    2009), and week 14 after transplanting (Mar. 18, 2009). In    Experiment 2, the severity of powdery mildew was assessed at week 8    after transplanting (Oct. 15, 2009), week 10 after transplanting    (Oct. 29, 2009), and week 12 after transplanting (Nov. 12, 2009). A    randomized complete block design was used with five replications in    Experiment 1 and with eight replications in Experiment 2. The    experimental unit was a single containerized plant. ‘UFGE 7014’    showed a moderate level of resistance to powdery mildew in both    Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 (Table 1). ‘UFGE 7014’ remained to be    more productive than ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’ when natural powdery    mildew disease pressure existed (Table 1). No other disease    resistance characterizations have been made.

TABLE 1 Powdery mildew severity ratings and flower counts of ‘UFGE 7014’and two commercial gerbera cultivars, ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’, grownunder natural powdery mildew pressure in two experimental trials inWimauma, FL. Experiment 1 (Winter 2008 through Spring 2009), Experiment2 (Summer 2009 through Fall 2009) PM Ratings^(Z) Flower Cultivars Week 8Week 10 Week 12 Week 14 counts^(Y) Experiment 1 (Winter 2008 throughSpring 2009) UFGE 7014 1.2 2.2 4.2 6.6 5.6 Bimini 1.2 1.8 5.4 8.0 3.2Pensacola 1.0 2.0 4.8 8.6 3.0 Experiment 2 (Summer 2009 through Fall2009) UFGE 7014 1.5 6.5 7.0 4.3 Bimini 2.6 8.6 9.4 2.6 Pensacola 1.8 7.59.8 1.1 ^(Z)Powdery mildew severity was rated on a scale of 1 to 10 asdescribed by Hausbeck et al. (2002): 1 = no disease, 2 = trace to 10%, 3= 10% to 20%, 4 = 20 to 30%, 5 = 30% to 40%, 6 = 40% to 50%, 7 = 50% to60%, 8 = 60% to 70%, 9 = 70% to 80%, and 10 = 80% to 100% of leafsurface covered with powdery mildew. ^(Y)Total number of flowersproduced per plant over nine weeks from Jan. 20, 2009 to Mar. 17, 2009in Experiment 1 or from Sep. 25, 2009 to Nov. 20, 2009 in Experiment 2,both in a screen house in Wimauma, FL

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND KNOWN CULTIVARS

‘UFGE 7014’ differs from the female parent ‘Sunburst Snow White’(unpatented) by having larger leaves, longer peduncles, larger flowers,and stronger powdery mildew resistance under growing conditions inWimauma, Fla. than ‘Sunburst Snow White’. ‘UFGE 7014’ differs from themale parent ‘UFGE 4033’ (unpatented) by having more leaves, fullerplants, and more flowers under growing conditions in Wimauma, Fla. than‘UFGE 4033’.

Comparisons were made with the commercial gerbera variety ‘Bimini’(unpatented) and the commercial gerbera variety ‘Pensacola’(unpatented). Two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse at Wimauma,Fla. under standard greenhouse management practices to evaluate theplant performance (days to flower, flower quality, flower count, andplant quality) of ‘UFGE 7014’ for container plant production incomparison to ‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’. In the first of the two plantperformance experiments (Experiment 3), tissue culture liners weretransplanted on Dec. 9, 2008 into 2.7-L containers filled withcommercial potting mix amended with controlled release fertilizer at therate of 5.28 kg·m⁻³ and trace element fertilizer at the rate of 1.05kg·m⁻³. Potted plants were grown on metal benches in a glass house andspaced 46 cm×46 cm apart. Temperatures inside the greenhouse ranged from18° C. to 33° C. Two hours of additional photoperiodic lighting wereprovided between Dec. 9, 2008 and Mar. 17, 2009. Fungicides andinsecticides were applied as needed to control powdery mildew andwestern flower thrips. Flower quality was rated on a 1 to 5 scale:1=very poor, 3=fair, some blemishes, but acceptable, and 5=excellent,bright, uniform, and no blemishes. Flower counts were recorded weeklyfrom Jan. 20, 2009 through Mar. 17, 2009. Plant quality was rated threetimes, on Jan. 20, 2009, Feb. 3, 2009, and Feb. 17, 2009, using a 1 to 5scale: 1=few leaves or long petioles, container surface visible, verypoor and unacceptable as flowering pot plants, 3=fair and marketable,and 5=excellent, full, symmetrical, attractive plants.

In the second of the two plant performance experiments (Experiment 4),tissue culture liners were transplanted on Aug. 13, 2009 into 2.7-Lplastic containers filled with commercial potting mix amended withcontrolled release fertilizer at the rate of 5.28 kg·m⁻³ and traceelement fertilizer at the rate of 1.05 kg·m⁻³. Plants were grown onmetal benches in a greenhouse with a spacing of 46 cm×46 cm. Thegreenhouse was covered with aluminum shading cloth with approximately30% light exclusion. Greenhouse temperatures ranged from 21° C. to 35°C. Two hours of additional photoperiodic lighting was provided beginningSep. 15, 2009. Fungicides and insecticides were applied as needed tocontrol powdery mildew and western flower thrips. Flower quality andplant quality were rated as above for Experiment 3, but on Sep. 25,2009, Oct. 15, 2009, and Nov. 5, 2009. The number of flowers producedper plant was recorded weekly from Sep. 25, 2009 through Nov. 20, 2009.

The experiment design for the plant performance experiments was arandomized complete block design with five replications in Experiment 3and eight replications in Experiment 4. The experimental unit was asingle containerized plant.

‘UFGE 7014’ came into flowering 14 to 19 days earlier than ‘Bimini’ and‘Pensacola’ in Experiment 3 and 7 to 13 days earlier than ‘Bimini’ and‘Pensacola’ in Experiment 4 (Table 2). Flower quality ratings of ‘UFGE7014’ were 5.0 to 4.7, similar to that of ‘Bimini’ (5.0 to 4.8), andhigher than that of ‘Pensacola’ (4.1 to 4.3) (Table 2). In bothExperiment 3 and Experiment 4, ‘UFGE 7014’ produced more flowers (253%to 163% more than ‘Bimini’ and 543% to 360% more than ‘Pensacola’)(Table 2). The plant quality rating of ‘UFGE 7014’ was 4.7 in bothExperiment 3 and Experiment 4, higher than that of the controls (Table2).

TABLE 2 Plant performance of ‘UFGE 7014’ and two commercial cultivars,‘Bimini’ and ‘Pensacola’ grown in Experiment 3 (Winter 2008 throughSpring 2009) and Experiment 4 (Summer 2009 through Fall 2009) inWimauma, Florida. Days to Flower 1st open Flower counts^(Z) PlantCultivars flowers (no.) quality^(Z) (no.) quality^(Y) Experiment 3 (Dec.9, 2008 to Mar. 17, 2009) UFGE 7014 49.6 5.0 7.6 4.7 Bimini 64.0 5.0 3.03.1 Pensacola 68.8 4.1 1.4 3.3 Experiment 4 (Aug. 13, 2009 to Nov. 20,2009) UFGE 7014 42.3 4.7 9.0 4.7 Bimini 50.1 4.8 5.5 3.2 Pensacola 55.84.3 2.5 3.3 ^(Z)Flower count data were collected over nine weeks fromJan. 20, 2009 to Mar. 17, 2009 in Experiment 3 and another nine weeksfrom Sep. 25, 2009 to Nov. 20, 2009 in Experiment 4. Each valuerepresents the mean of five (Experiment 3) or eight (Experiment 4)replicates. ^(Y)The plant quality rating value in Experiment 3 was themean of five replicates over three times (Jan. 20, Feb. 3, and Feb. 17,2009), and the plant quality rating value in Experiment 4 was the meanof eight replicates over three times (Sep. 25, Oct. 15, and Nov. 5,2009).

Literature Cited

Hausbeck, M. K., W. R. Quackenbush, and S. D. Linderman. 2002.Evaluation of cultivars of African daisy for resistance to powderymildew, 2002. B&C Tests 18:O0004.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gerbera plant named ‘UFGE 7014’, asillustrated and described herein.